What Model Mindfulness means to me.

Before I was exposed to higher education and the “Model Minority Myth”, I lived blindly to its negative impact on my perception. Through social-justice-oriented courses, I learned about my internal struggles due to pressures within my culture and in the greater society. The myth insinuates a “positive” stereotype that all Asian Americans are polite or submissive, intelligent, hardworking, well-achieved and so much more. Despite the positive spin, the myth is harmful because it dismisses the varying challenges and racism Asian individuals face. In the societal context, the myth is harmful as it perpetuates that Asian minorities are perfect, creating a conflict of comparison with other BIPOC communities.

The name Model Mindfulness came to me because I wanted to spread awareness to my family, peers, and classmates that the Asian American experience is far from perfect. I wanted to speak about the systematic and internalized racism these Asian communities face. On a personal level, I wanted to model something different rather than stereotypical expectations that were harmful and held me back from who I truly am and what I am capable of.

I continue and will aim to model mindfulness of my privileges as a working professional, family history and background, impact and intentions, and my personal challenges navigating a systemically oppressive society. Modeling mindfulness teaches me to be aware, present, and engage with the intention to disrupt these harmful patterns.

Model Mindfulness started as a passion project; to represent diversity in the mental health and wellness field and to be a familiar and representative face to communities of color. This passion project has grown into this exciting professional collaboration service so I can support individuals and companies as we maneuver and disrupt systemic oppressive issues and practice modern ways of working as growing professionals. In an open and safe landing space, we can achieve our personal and workforce aspirations.

What is the difference between Individual Therapy and Professional Collaborations?

Individual therapy is a formal mental health treatment. Individual therapy is focused on reducing mental health symptoms, increasing adaptive coping strategies to manage your daily life and long-term goals that aim to decrease clinical symptoms. Individual therapy requires evidence-based strategies to navigate treatment, and process your emotions and requires weekly sessions. We go through formal consultations, psychotherapy policies and agreements, and a psychological diagnostic assessment.

Professional Collaborations is focused on helping mental health professionals and business leaders only.

1. Business Collaborations: I serve as a partner to your vision of making your workforce mentally resilient and seeing your business goals and health flourish. I’ve partnered with start-ups, outpatient mental health clinics, and hospitals for workshops, and to help guide leaders with my specialty as a psychotherapist and business owner, critically examining the gaps in the field for equitable and accessible care. Examples of collaborations include: mentoring, partnering, and business collaborations through the form of speaking at workshops, consulting for product feedback, the company’s health and wellness, and so much more.

2. Mental Health Coaching: I help providers or those inspired by the field understand and navigate the pathway of mental health educational programs, training, and licensure, and even build their practice from the ground up. I’ve assisted with resume and interview preparation, studying for board exams, conquering imposter syndrome, and how to build your self-esteem as a psychotherapist. I share my experiences as a first-generation professional, and my journey through the profession of psychotherapy treatment and being a therapist in tech. I learn from you and your stages of career and business development. I provide critical advice and coaching that I’ve garnered through years of clinical exposure and business practices. I coach clients with their goals in mind with my personal expertise in navigating the broken mental health system and how discovering which steps to take to be the psychotherapist individuals aspire to be. This service does not constitute clinical supervision or mental health treatment.